iLlBriAUYOFCONGIlESS.# 

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i UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ^ 



H I ]sr T s 



HOR SE-SIiOEING 



AN EXPOSITIOX OF THE DUNBAR SYSTEM, TAUCJHT TO THE 
FARRIERS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY, UNDER 
THE AUTHORITY OF THE JOINT RESOLU- 
TION OF CONGRESS OF JULY 28, 186(). 



rriF.PAnED by 



JO PIN KIERNAN, 

CHIEF FAKr.IKU OF THE CAVALRY DEPOT, fAULISLK, I'A. 




1^'^' 



APPROVED BY A BOARD OF CAVALRY OFFICERS, AND ORDERED BY THE SECRETARY OF WAR 
TO BE PRINTED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO OFFICERS OF THE MOUNTED SER- 
VICE AND TO COMPANIES OF CAVALRY AND ARTILLERY. 



WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1. 8 7 1 . 



II E I> O R T 

Of a board of otUcers appoiuted to meet at Foit Itiley, Kansas, by virtue of tUe following orders : 

[Special Oiilei-i No. 244.- Extract.] 
"llEADQUARTEKS DEPARTMENT 0¥ TUE MiSSOUKI, 

"■ FuH Lean-iiicorth, Kanms, December 21), 1870. 

"In compliance with instructious from the Adjutant General's Office, a board of officers is 
hereby appointed to meet at Fort Eiley, Kansas, on Wednesday, the 4th of January, 1871, for the 
purpose of examining the manuscript of a work entitled ' Hints on Horse shoeing,' by John Kier- 
nan, farrier, with accompanying plates, papers, &c. 

"Detail for the Board.— Captain William M. Graham, First Artillery; Captain Henry 
C. Ilasbrouck, Fourth Artillery. 

"The report of the board will be forwarded to these headquarters. 

" By command of Brigadier General Pope : 

" W. G. MITCHELL, 
'■'■Brevet Colonel United i^tates Army, A. A. A. General. 

'• W. M. DUNN, Jr., 
'^Brevet Major United States Army, A. D. C' 



" Official : 



[Hlliccial Onlers No. 5.— Extract.] 

"Headquarters Department of the Missouri, 

" Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, January 0, 1871. 

" First Lieutenant Thomas Ward, First Artillery, is hereby detailed as a member of the board 
of officers appointed by Special Orders No. 241, series of 1870, from these headquarters. 

" By command of Brigadier General Pope : ^^ ^ _, MITCHELL, 

" Brevet Colonel Uniteil States Army, A. A. A. General. > 

"^«^^'^'= MV. M. DUXN, JR., 

^^ Brevet Major an<l A. JK C." 

The board met, pursuant to the above orders, at Fort Kiley, Kan.sas, January 11, 1871, and 
proceeded to examine the manuscript entitled "Hints on Horse-shoeing," by John Kicrnaii, chief 
farrier and instructor of horse shoeing at the cavalry depot, together with plates, testimonials, and 
accompanying papers. 

After a careful examination and dis.nission of the work, the board decided to adjourn tor the 
purpose of testing the method, not only of paring the foot and htting the shoe, but f..r tlie treat- 
ment of several disea.ses common to the- horse's foot, and for this purpose selected several horses 
with disea.sed feet, treating them as recommended. 

Each member of the board carefully witnessed the practi.al ai.plh-ition of the method of paring 



the foot, fitting the shoe, iuul the treatment recoiuuieiided for several of the diseases referred to, 
viz : Interference, contraction, quarter-cracli. 

Tlie treatment laid down \yas applied to a horse that interfered so badly that he always cut 
himself if driven without a boot, and the result was entirely successful. 

Although sufficient time has uot yet elapsed to produce a permanent cure of the two latter dis- 
eases now under treatment, still the improvement is so great as to fully conviuce the board that 
the treatment will, in proper time, produce the desired result. 

Specimens were forwarded by Colonel Edward Hatch, Ninth Cavalry, from St. Louis Arsenal* 
February 8, 1871, at the request of John Kiernan, farrier, and laid before the board. The first 
shows the manner of paring and shoeing the foot by the system uuder consideration ; and the 
second gives the old stylo of preparing the foot for the shoe, leaving the bars to connect with 
the heels. The former shows a healthy, well-developed foot; the latter, a diseased and contracted 
one, evidently produced by leaving the bars to connect with the heels, which encases the frog in a 
wall, inviting instead of preventing contraction, and by catting away the sides of the frog, 
which removes what nature intended as a protection to the interior structure of the foot. 

The board, after a careful study, both theoretically aud practically, of the system advanced 
by Mr. Kiernan, are of the belief that it offers great advantages in the treatment of the foot for 
diseases common thereto, and the preparation of the foot for the shoe, as well as a great many 
improvements in the form of the shoe itself, and the board woidd therefore recommend that this 
system be adoi^ted throughout the Army. 

The board urgently recommend that, if tlic work is adiijitcd and published, it be accompanied 
by the plates, engraved in the best style, beli-niiig them to be of vital importauce to the farrier to 
enable him to understand correctly the rules laid down by the author. 

AV. M. GKAHAM, 
('apt Kin First Artillcri/, Pre.siiliin/ Officer. 
il. C. IIASBKOUCK, 

Cdjitain Fourth Artiller]/. 
THOS. WARD, 
Firnt Lieutenant First Artillery, Eeconler. 



The following named officer** have certilled to the author's skill in the application 
Dunbar system : 

Brevet Major General Edwakd IIatch, colonel Ninth Cavalry. 
Brevet Brigadier General Georgk A. H. Blake, colonel First Cavalry. 
Brevet Brigadier General Jonx P. Hatch, major Fourth Cavalry. 
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel H. A. Du Pont, captain Fifth Artillery. 
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Thomas B. Hunt, assistant quartermaster. 
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel 'Warken Webster, surgeon United States Army. 
Brevet Major C. Mauck, captain Fourth Cavalry. 
Captain Deame Monahan, Third Cavalry. 
Brevet Captain C. S. Eoberts, aid-decamp. 
Lieutenant John M. Walton, Fourth Cavalry. 
Lieutenant Frank W. Eussell, Sixth Cavalry. 
Lieutenant J. L. Bathbone, aid-de-cauip. 



KIERNAN'S HINTS ON HORSESHOEING. 



The author of this little work, alter au experience as a i.ractical larrier and liorsc-shoer of 
twelve years, while traveling on the frontiers, observed a great want of professional farriers and 
l)ractical blacksmiths, particularly where there were cavalry and artillery regimeuts stationed. 
His system of shoeing horses and treating certain diseases hereinafter mentioned, is, by the aid of 
the illustrations, easily understood in these few hints placed within reach of all who are interested 
in that noblest of animals, the horse. 

In addition to the instructions for paring tlu' foot and litting the shoe, the following diseases 
common to the horse's foot are briefly referred to and treatment recommended: "Long feet," 
" corns," " contraction," " quarter and toe cracks," " thrush," " pumice foot," " hoof-bound," " enlarge- 
ment of the metacarpal bone," "sprain of the back tendons," "interfering." 

IIs^STRUCTIOKS FOR FITTINli A^l) DRIVING THE .SHOE. 

The first thing to be done is to carefully examine the horse's feet all around, to see that tlu'y 
are of a natural shape, taking care to abstain from any action that will tend to excite the horse. 

The shoes should be removed one at a time, and the nails carefully drawn after the clinches 
are cut, one at a time, and anything like tearing off the shoe by main force should, by all means, 
be avoided. 

The shoe being removed, the rasp should then be used on the edge of the foot where the 
shoe has been, removing all dirt and gravel which may have ar.Himulated there, and thus prevent 
injury to the shoeingknife. 

if the foot is healthv and of a natural shai>e, and has beeu shod regularly, no alteration is 
required, but simply to pare out the sole of the loot, removing the bars entirely and opeuing out 
the heels back. The surface of the frog should be trimmed olV a very little, but the sides should 
never be cut. 

By reference to plate No. 12, •• Natural," an exact idea of the system of paring the toot rec- 
ommended by the author may be gained. It has been practiced successfully, and is recommended 
for the simple reason that, by the system of removing the bars and opening out the heels, contrac- 
tion is prevented, and the frog retains its natural shape, because all pressure is removed from each 
side. 

The foot should not be scooped out sr 
f(n- the wall of the lioof is the base upon wl 
a sutliciency of the sole as u " ground siu lac 
one at a time. 

In fitting a shoe to the foot alter it has been thoroughly prepared, the fariier should take hold 
of the foot with both hands and see that the shoe is perfectly easy on the heels, and that he has 
sufficient room all around, in the manner illustrated on Rlate No. 11. If the shoe is found to lit 
well everywhere, he will take the foot between his knees, and placing the shoe properly, drive the 
nails with great care, so that the shoe cannot get out of its proper place. When the nails are 
started he should hammer them home lightly, or according to the foot he is working ou. The three 
nails on the inside and outside, toward the toe, should always be driven a little tighter than the 
heel nails, so as to prevent pressure on the heels. No man should be in a hurry in shoeing a horse, 
but should al\va\s be eaivfnl in litUng and driving the shoe, as instructed. 

A shoe shoidd never be titteil ligiitly, unless the cotfin-bone has too mueh play ; then it should 
be fitted ti"ht an-und the toe and eaeli (|naiter, as far as the nail-holes extend back, in order to 
contract the toot and luing the ctlin bone to ils p,,.p..r plae... S.i.^h cases are, however, very rare. 



to leave the wall [.rojeeting without 


any suppov 


the horse travels, and this should be 


sni)porte(l 1 


The shoes should be removed and tlu 


■ feet prep:fl 



G 

The lu-els of the shoe should never be allowed to eiiive inward toward the Iroy. and the foot 
should be prepared so as to prevent any pressure from the shoe ou the ho'el, in the manner shown 
by riate No. 14, at the same time allowing;- the bearing of the shoe to be perfectly eqnal. 

If the liorse has a long foot it should be shortened on the toe as mucb as possible — the more 
the better, for the hoof grows out more quickly at the toe — and it is necessary, becanse in a case 
of this kind the coffin-bone is necessarily out of its proper position, and the operation of shortening 
the toe must be continued until it resumes its natural shai>e : but a dose operation and working 
the horse at the same time is not recommended, because the toot can be brought to its proper 
shape, by cutting gradually, in time. 

After the cutting has been performed a shoe should be fitted so as to have the pressure ou each 
quarter, and with heels if the horse's heels are naturally low, iu order to prevent a sudden change. 
A horse should be m'^IkkI at k^ast once a month. 

The plates numlM k .| ir,.|ii l to 10 arc exphiined by remarks, and referred to in explaining the 
treatment of diffoivnt tli-i;isis meaitioued herein. 

Plate Xo. 1.— CLi-NcmNG-TO>-GS— To he substituted for the hammer iu clinching nails after 
they are driven— recommended because all the evil ettects of pounding on the wall of the hoof to 
fasten the nails are avoided. It is described as follows, (See Plate Xo. 1 :) .-A" is the jaw which 
presses against the nad after it is driven ; '-B" presses down and cliiiches tlie point by pressing 
together the handles marked '• C" and "B." 

Plate Xo. 2— Shows the manner in which the shoeing knife should be held. "A," holding 
the knife in one hand in paring each side of the frog and in cutting away the bars and trimming 
out the heels; "P," using both hands in cutting the hard sole and wall of the foot. 

Plate Xo. 3.— Paring out the foot.— By reference to this plate it will be seen what a 
diflereuce there exists between the system recommended and practiced by the author and the 
old style practiced and recommended by all authorities on the subject heretofore. 

The bars should be cut oirni/ entirely, removing the jiressure from the frog, and cutting out the 
heel. By this system of paring the foot a ground surface will always be left. Commencing at the 
heel and expanding gradually, as illustrated by the plate "A" to "C," the sides of the frog should 
never be cut, but the top should be cut down sufficiently to allow it to be clear of the ground after 
the shoe is fitted. The cleft of the frog should always be cleaned out thoroughly every time the 
shoe is renewed. 

Plates Xos. 1 and 5. — Long feet befoue and after cutting. — A horse with a long foot, 
as wiU be easily seen, will suffer from an undue pressure on the heels, (see article '' Corns,'') causing 
corns, and in addition to that, if the foot is not shorteued in time, it will cause the coffin-bone to 
lose its proper shape, but this can be remedied by shortening the toe every time the horse is shod, 
thus keeping the foot in its proper shape. 

Plate Xo. C. — Plain shoe for a weak foot, or a foot that has been under treatment for any dis- 
ease. It is a heavy and wide shoe, and is recommended as protecting the sole of the foot. 

Plate Xo. 7. — Bae shoe. — Eecommended for removing pressure entirely from the heels iu 
cases of quarter cracks, corns, or weak heels. 

Plate Xo. S — Kepresents a shoe made specially to prevent interfering. Xo nails to be driven 
on the inner quarter. The common practice of fitting a shoe tight on the heel to prevent interfer- 
ing is entirely wrong. An interfering horse does not strike with his heel, but with the inner 
side of the toe not further back than the heel-nails, both hind and forward. To prevent this, the 
shoe should be fitted wider on the inner than on the outer heel. 

A horse that interferes should be carefully examined by the farrier before shoeing, who will 
notice particularly the shape of his feet. If the animal stands inward and interferes, the outside 
quarter should be cut down, ami thus throw the foot level; and, if he stands out ward, and inter- 
feres, the inxide (piarter should be cut down for the same reason. Alter this a shoe should be 
fitted <\ith no nails on the inner quarter, which should be tliiclest, as shown by the plate. 

Plate Xo. 9 — Represents a heavy shoe for a draught horse. It is thickest on the outer toe 
and heel, as will be seen by the i)late, and is intended for a horse that is pigeou-toed. 

To prevent a horse traveling pigeon-toed is simply to pare off the inner quarter of the toe, and 
have the shoe fitted as above. By this operation the bearing will be level. This will apply also to 



a liorse for lijjlit ridiiig, and for a liorse travdiii;;- bctweeii the sliafts; but for the latter a good 
block-heel on the outer aud a .small one on the inner tjuarter of the shoe should be niade ; the toe 
also to be made thick in proportion, to make the bearing level. 

Plate No. 10 — Is a representation of a perfe(;tly healthy (!ofliubone, with the upper and lower 
pastern and navicular bones, front and reverse sides. The system recommended by the author is 
intended to prevent any pressure whatever on the wings of the coflln-bone. Anything that pre- 
vents the perfectly free action of the coflin-boni^ will cause ''navicular disease," and "ossified car- 
tilages.'' After a foot is i^ared, as rec()mniende<l in this, so as to be easily expanded, the wings of 
the coflin-bone, which are the widest part, should be protected by a wide shoe, and there should be 
no pressure whatever on the heels. 

COKXS. 

The pressure of the bar on one side of tlic seat of the disease, and of the horny substance of a 
contracted heel on the other sidt-, added to a tight shoe, causes inflammation, wliicli, when become 
chronic, is styled a coin. 

A corn may be detected by paring the foot close. It is not necessary, as reconnnended by 
some authorities, to use a pair of i)iiicers, scpiee/ing the hoof all around to find the corn, therel>y 
giving the horse unnecessary jiain. They are to lie found olily in the heel, and do not result from 
bruises, but from pressure. 

Treatjient. — The shoe having been removed, the inside of the hoof should be pared out 
thoroughly all around, and if a long hoof, it should be shortened. If the corn is visible, the heel 
should be pared down and the bars weakened, opening the heel as far back as possible, (see Plate 
No. 11,) and fitting an open .shoe so as to thro(v the pressure oft' the heel. The pressure having been 
removed, the corn will disappear or grow down in the quarter, in which ca.se the farrier should fit a 
bar-shoe so as to throw the weight off the disease<l heel and partly on the frog, the elastic surface 
of which will prevent severe pressure. 

If ahorse has a long foot, the pressure is more on the corns, because his foot is in front of him, 
aud an over proportion of bis weight conies on the heels. A horse with a long foot is like a man 
with a thick sole to his boot and no heels, for the heel strikes the ground first. 

Every hor.se should have his feet well xiKler him, and not in froiif of him. This fact should 
be taken into consideration when fitting the open shoe. 

Inflammation should be reduced by placing a swab over the cornet aud using a hot jioultice of 
linseed meal for the foot. 

The pressure having been removed from a corn for a fortnight, it will be ob.served to have a 
light color, re|ireseufing the color of a new corn, aud if properly treated it will gradually disappear 
and be lli^|ll;M■^d li\ a he;il(li\ -lowth of foot. 

The liorse sliould lie iillowid at least a month in which to recover from his lameness; but it is 
not necessary to turn him out to grass, aud care should be taken that his feet are closely attended 
to, having the shoes renewed about once in a fortnight. 

CONTPACTION 

Is the result of neglect, want of natural moisture, and tight shoeing. The result is lameness, if in 
one foot, and if in both feet, the loss of their free, natural use, causing short steps and stumbling. 
If the inner quarter is contracted it is the can.se, if not soon remedied, of quarter-crack. The 
practice of fitting a shoe so as to fit tightei- on the inner than the outer quarter, to ]U'event inter- 
fering, renders it more liable to contraction. 

The want of proper moi.sture causes the horn to shrink, and prevents the foot from exi)auiling 
naturally. This .should be remodieil by soaking the feet, if feverish, in warm, and if healthy, in 
cold water twice a day and an hour each linu'. This moisture should be applied at lea.sf two hours 
before the horse is to be u.sed. This will render tlm foot elastic and prevent abuse from traveling 
over rough roads. 

liy reference to accompanying plate, Xo. V2, the difference will be observed between a natural 
ami a contracted foot. The quarters growing toward each other in the contracted foot cause the 



coiliu-bone to lose its proper sbapo, and forcing the sensitive frog upward frora its proper place, 
causes scratches and tbrusli. 

Treatment of contraction, briefly speaking, is c.qxiiisioii. The l\)ot should lie tborougbly 
prepared in tbe following manner : If the horse is lame, tbe farrier should shorten the toe, lower 
the foot all around, and open the heels back until blood is drawn. The sole of the foot should be 
pared as closely as possible on each side of the frog, in the manner shown by the illustration on 
Plate No. 12, " Natuial foot." The frog shoidd be lowered, but the side should not be cut. A 
groove should be made with a rasp just under and parallel with the cornet, on each side, (see 
Plate Ko. 14,) deep enough to draw blood; then, with a tine shoeing-knife, cut little notches down 
from the cornet, and across the groove at certain equal distances — as shown by illustration No. 14 — 
the entire length of the groove. These notches should also be deep enough to draw blood. This 
will relieve the i)rcssinc raiiscd by eontraotion fr(ini the cartilages on both sides, and allow them 
to resume their ]U(i|ii r shniic 

Having the toot nady lor tlie shoe, a hand should lie placed on each side of the foot, pressing 
it outward, in the juanner shown by Plate No. 15. The shoe mnst be very carefully fitted, and 
must have eight nail-holes, for the reason that it is the heel-nails that relieve a horse while in con- 
traction. 

The shiic sliould be fitted so as to-project at least a quarter of an ijich on each side of the foot — 
so as to see the nail holes projecting on each side of tlie outer and inner quarter. Having this 
accomplished, the hearing should he equal; the nails must be driven first toward the toe, then toward 
the heel, driving them half way, and using the utmost care and skill; the higher the nails are 
driven the better. The shoe being fitted so wide, there is no fear of pricking. 

The nails toward the heel should be driven by alternate taps on each side, because the foot 
expands on each side, on account of being pared so thin on either side of the frog, the source of 
the expansion. 

The heel-nails should relieve the wings of the coflin-bone, whicli suttVr most while in a state of 
contraction, and allow them to come back to their proper position. 

Considerable soreness will result from this mode of treatment, which can be remedied by using 
thin poultices of linseed meal, applied as hot as possible, to be renewed at least once every two 
days for the pciiod of two weeks. The foot should also be thoroughly soaked in a bucket of warm 
water for half an hour at each renewal of the poultice; this will remove all soreness and prevent 
the foot from shrinking when exposed to the weather. The e.rpnnsion treatment should be con- 
tinued gradually until the coffin-bone resumes its natural shape; when this is acconqdished, the 
growing hoof will naturally accommodate itself to the bone. 

The severe treatment recommended is nccf.ssai y only in an aggravated case causing lameness. 
It can be so modified by cutting the hoof and ( xikmhUhu the foot gradually as to allow the horse to 
be used while under treatment, if he has not bf.n disnlihd. 

QUAETEU AND TOE CRACKS. 

Quarter-cracks are commonly found in the feet of saddle-horses, and are caused by contraction 
and pressure, and are also the result of a shoe being fitted tightly on the inner quarter, to prevent 
interfering, as stated in remarks on "contraction." 

Most commonly found on the inner quarter, it commences at the cornet, extending downward, 
and when it extends through to the lamina', causes lameness, and is especially serious if the foot 
is contracted, as shown by Plate No. 10. 

Tiiere are two kinds of quarter-cracks, as shown by Plates Nos. 17 and IS, the hiteral and the 
straight, the latter being the most serions, if the separation commences at the cornet. 

TREATJrENT.— If the foot is inclined to contract, it should be prepared as if for contraction ; 
shorten the toe and expand the foot, under the directions already given. If lameness has resulted, 
a bar-shoe should be fitted so as to renune all pressure from half an inch on each side of the crack. 
Then with a rasp cut a groove under and parallel with the cornet, extending about half an inch 
on each side of the crack ; with a shoeing-knife cut sonui small notches on each side of the groove, 
after which the edges of the crack may be cut away. (See Plates Nos. 17 and 18.) If the foot 
bleeds freely, so much the better. After this is done, a firing-iron should be applied so as to can- 



terize the crack. This operation having been perforinetl, the foot shouhl be dressetl with tar every 
morning for about three weeks. The pressure being reuioveil, the new growth will commence at 
the cornet and extend downward, as shown in Plate No. 10, until a permanent cure is effected. 

TOECRACK, 

More common to heavy and draught horses, is caused by want of room. The sinuc iiisiiU- tlie 
wall of the foot not being large enough to accommodate the lamina?, it causes iiillaiiniiaiiiMi and 
breaks out at the weakest point, which is the cornet, and extends downward to tlif tor. raiisiug 
the foot to assume the appearance of a cloven foot. (See Plate No. 20.) 

Teeatjcent.— Shorten the toe as much as possible, and then pare the sole of tlie foot until it 
will yield to the pressure of the thumb. No pressure should be allowed within half an inch on 
each side of the crack on the toe, for the reason that the pressure on the toe prevents the cornet 
from uniting. Having prepared the sole of the foot, a fine shoeing-knife should be used to remove 
the horn that is inclined to grow inward on each side of the crack, after which a groove under the 
cornet, extending on each side of the crack, will be made, and the notches on each side of the 
groove, as already directed. A firing-iron should be applied to cauterize the crack from the cornet 
downward. Then the crack should be cut away in the center, so as to allow the use of an 
" expansion-plate," as shown by Plate No. 21. This expansion-plate is the invention of the writer, 
and can be made of brass or steel. It is composed of four pieces, as follows: A plate divided in 
the center into two eqnal parts, A and B, (see Plate No. 21,) and a thread cut in the center. Each 
part is made so as to fit dovetailed into the crack, held in place with a screw C, and a burr D 
underneath, to prevent the screw from pressing the laminte of the foot. The screw, which has con- 
siderable power as a lever, forces the two plates apart, lifts up the wall of the foot, which is press- 
ing each side of the crack, and presses it outward. This being done, an open shoe should be fitted, 
wider than the foot, so as to expand it, which, together with the notches cut in groove under the 
cornet, will cause a new and strong growth from each side of the crack, commencing at the 
cornet and extending downward. 

The length of time required to effect a remo\ al of the crack dei)cnds on the treatment and 
skill of the operator. If the foot is expanded by the plate with skill, and the nails in the shoe 
driven so as to prevent the wall of the foot closing in on the crack, the plate may be removed at 
once; otherwise, it should remain stationary, which can be done by substituting the small screw 
E, which will not prevent the horse from being used while under treatment. The use of the 
expansion-plate is not necessary unless the crack extends the whole length of the hoof. The crack 
extending from the cornet partly down the front of the foot, should be treated at once, remov- 
ing pressure by shortening the toe and expanding the foot as already instructed, then, by means of 
the groove and notches, promote a new growth at the cornet. 

THPUSH 

Is a disease of the frog, most common to a foot which is hoof-bouud or contracte«l, but sU 
horses' feet are subject to it when they are neglected. The frog pressed on each siile by tlie bars 
of the foot and from the overgrowth of the hoof becomes inflamed, and the result is thnixh. (See 
Plate No. 22.) 

Treatjient if the foot is HOOF-BOItnd. — Tlie farrier, after removing the shoe, should use 
his rasp and lower the wall of the foot all around from lieel to hcL'l ; then by the free use of the 
knife pare the foot to its natural size. Also pare around the frog uutil the sole of the foot yields 
to the pressure of the thumb, then open the iieels and remove the pegs that grow on each side of 
the heels. All this shoulil be done before a knife is used on the frog. After all pressure is remo\ ed 
by this paring operation, the condition of the frog will show iiow it was affected liy pressure on 
each side. 

Next, by tin- use of the knife, cut a slice off the top of the frog, and carefully eU%in out the 
cleft which suffers umst on account of the direel pressure of the bars on each side of the frog. 
After this cleaning operation is performed, a warm |)ouItiee of (lax-seed meal .should be applied two 
or three times, according to the condition of the loot. AViunthe poultice is removed the foot should 



10 

be washed ont occasionally with castile soap aud Avarin water, after which a little salt ground into 
fine powder should be forced into the cleft, and kept iu bj' a mixture of tar and oakum as a dress- 
ing-; after which an open shoe should befitted so as to expand the foot gradually. This treat- 
ment should be pursued until a permanent cure is effected. 

If the foot is in a state of contraction, it should be expanded, under the instructions already 
given. By this expansion all pressure isremovod, and a permanent cure is easily effected by follow- 
ing the instructiiiiis alieady given. 

No liquid remedies, such as butter of antimony or chloride of zinc, should be used, as they drv 
up the foot before the inflammation is removed. 

Ey reference to Plate No. 22, a good idea may be obtained of the manner of paring out a hoof 
sufl'ering from thrush. 

Tlatk No. 23.— I'UMICE FOOT 

Should always be pared out each side of the frog until it yields to the pressure of the thumb. 
This paring should, however, be done immediately around the frog, leaving more than usual of 
ground surface. (See plate after treatment.) The toe siiould be shortened as much as possible, 
and the heels cut out back. If the horse is lame, a bar-shoe is the best to protect the foot, with a 
leather sole and some tar as a moisture. The shoe should be renewed at least once a month, with 
a leather sole, until a cure is effected. 

Plate No. 24.— HOOF-BOUND. 

A horse that is hoof-bound is deprived of his free action, and resembles a horse that is foundered. 

TREAT3IENT. — The foot should be pared out thoroughly and on each side of the frog until it 
yields to the pressure of the thumb. Open the heels and remove the bars that press the frog on 
each side and cause the animal much pain. 

The toe should be shortened, and if the foot is inclined to contraction the shoe should be fitted 
wider than the foot, which, if drove properly, will expand the foot. (See article Contraction.) 
The shoe should be a good, heavy, open one, well eased oft' the heels. Having the foot prepared, the 
operation should next be performed around the cornet, as follows : If the cartilages are hard, as 
they are generally from being pressed upward, a groove should be made with a rasp immediately 
under the cornet, and extending all the way across from heel to heel, deep enough to draw blood. 
Next, with a fine knife, cut notches across the groove at equal distances tlfe whole length of the 
gi'oove and extending from the coriMf iluwnward. l!y this o])eration, illustrated on Plate No. 24, 
the pressure is removed from tlir r;niil;i.;cs. After this a jioultice of linseed-meal should be applied 
around the cornet, which loosens all pressure and starts a new growth. 

If the horse is lame from this disease, the close-cutting operation should be performed and the 
poultice applied one week ; otherwise the operation need not be so severe. 

PlA'^es Nos. 25, 26, 27. — Illitstrations or oyerorowth of hoof and neglect before 
AND AFTER TREATMENT. — The illustration before treatment (No. 25) represents the ground surface 
of afoot operated on by the author, and "after-treatment" represents the same foot after one 
pound of overgrowth had been removed from one foot. Plates 2G and 27 show the difierence 
between the foot before and after treatment, and show the importance of being careful iu observing 
a horse's foot, so as to prevent lameness aud the various diseases caused by neglect. 

Plates Nos. 28, 2!).— ENLARGEMENT OF THE METACARPAL BONE, 

In a great many cases, causes lameness, because the enlargement interferes with the free use of 
the flexor tendon, pressing it out of its proi)er place. A horse with a contracted foot suffers fi-om 
this pressure when the shoe is fitted tight and brings the heels inward. 

The metacarpal bones extend from the back of the knee downward to the pastern joint, form- 
ing, as it were, a brace on each side. They become qnite snmll as they extend downward, and the 
enlargement is generally found on the inside of the leg. (See Plate No. 2S.) 

The enlargement may be discovered by running the hand downward from the knee, the thumb 



11 

on one side and the forefinger on the other, nntil it is felt. (See Plate No. 29, "A.") If pressed 
and the horse yields to the pressure, it is a sure sign that he is aftected, and he should be properly 
shod at once, as if for contraction, or the enlargement should be removed. To do this the horse 
should be in the Ibllowiug position : First, with plenty of straw under him, to prevent bruising ; 
then he should be thrown on his side and fastened down, so as to allow the operator to make an 
incision, with a tine pocket-knife, partly to the front and near where the enlargement is. This 
operation will not interfere with the tendons or veins that extend upward from the foot. Tlie 
incision having been made, the finger may be inserted, as shown in Tlate No. 20, " B," so as 
to raise the enlargement and make it visible. Then, with a pair of nippers, snap the end off with 
one motion. The incision should be closed and fastened together with a needle and silk thread ; 
then apply a linen bandage, and over this a woolen cloth containing a little moisture, to prevent 
fever. A little sweet oil should be applied, to keep it clean while healing. The operation is not 
severe, and is thoroughly effective. 

Plates Nos. 30, 31— Represent a foot which has been deprived of the free use of the back 
tendons, caused by a sudden jar or misstep, causing a horse so affected to travel on his toe, and 
can be remedied only by a system of expanding the foot under the directions already given for 
contraction. After this a shoe should be fitted with a toe and no heels, for by raising the toe the 
bearing is thrown on the heels. If the action is heavy on the toe, the shoe should be provided with 
a steel toe-cork. This will prevent a horse from traveling on his toe, and such a case, if taken in 
time, can be remedied, if not permanently cured, by simply fitting a shoe so as to throw the bearing 
on the heels. 

Plates Nos. 30 and 31— Represent an aggravated case, which, from neglect, became incurable. 

Plate No. 32— Represents the exterior and interior surface of the sensitive frog. The great 
principle of this system of paring the horse's feet recommended liy tlie author, is to remove all 
pressure from the frog. It should be protected from all pressure, and fsueh diseases as thrush and 
scratches may be avoided. 

Plate No. 33— Gives a sectional view of all the bones and tendons of the horse's foot. Every 
blacksmith and fiirrier should thoroughly understand the anatomy of the horse's foot, in order to 
be able to know exactly how to treat any disease which may be brought to his notice. 




No. 2 






S;. 



/^ 




Correct method of holdin^the shoeing Knife. 



No. 3. 




anew style . bold style 

Paring the foot. 



No. 4. 




Long foot- before treatment 



I'/ainches remo;ed from ine toe 




Long foot after treatment. 




Plain shoe = for a weak foot. 

2 '/a inches wide at tiie toe. 




Bar shoe for 

quartercrack-corns or weak heels, 

214 inches wide. 




A shoe to prevent ifUerfenine; 

A. outer quarter. B. irin'-r-'juLrV-r'. 





a 3 lb shoe 

for a draught, horse of 1500 Pds.v/eidht 
b. innerheet. a. outer heel 



FiP'. 1 




FlgM. 

a IJppc^r pousttrn. 

b. Lower pastern. 

c. Navicular-bcnt. 

d. Coffin - bene. 



Coffinbcn 



Fig-. 5i. 

a UpDcr pastfrri. 

b. Low&r prcsie,rn. 

c. Nnviculcur-bon?. 

d. Coffin-bcm/fjiih the hjrnv la-mir.at- 




r jiiing a snue lo remove 
pressure from tr? ^^e 




ContracLecl 



No. 12 




Natural 



Otd 8tyls parin^out tl-ie foot 




No. 13 



^ 



New style. 




14 



ConL.racted foot after treatment. 




Expanding the foot after it has been pared oul 



No. 16. 




Lateral quarter crack before treatment, Contracted fuot. 




No. 17 



Quarter crack- Lateral-under treatrnenl. 




No. 18. 



Straight quarter crack under trealrnent 




No. 19 



Qjiarter cr^jk ciTut ir.-vit merit. 





No. 20 



.^S^. 




'■^ r:\i:'k '.f':l;^f i;'('ui,;,e;,t. 



No. 2J 




i-) 



4^0*^-^ & 



Toe crack after treatment, 
Expiainin:^' use of "Expanrion piaie' 




Ho.n. 



Thrush = before treatment, 




after treatment. 




No.aS 



Before treatment, Pumise foot. 




after treatment. 




No. 24. 



Hoofbound under trea.tment. 




after treatment. 



No. 25. 




Overgrowth of hoof and neglect - G round surface 
before treatment. 




No. 26. 



Overgrowth of hoof- front view before treatment. 




No. 27. 

Overerowth of hoof -front view after treatment 



NaviculoL. 




0.28, 



Enlargement of metacarpal bone. 




No. 29 




Enlargementof the metacarpal bone. 

A. showing how to find the Enlargement. 
B . showing' the manner in which the incision is made 
and the Enlargement removed. 



No. 30, 




\ 



A foot that is deprived of the free use of the back tendens. 




A2Lvu:uLarjoi7iti7V healthy coTidiizon > """* 




/ Ossi-fied. ruxyicularjoint. 

7^ 



Ossified growth of upper and lower pastern joint,also navicularjoint 

and Coffin bone- in afoot, wiiich has been deprived of the free use 

of the back tendons. See plate No. 30. 




No. 32 




Exterior surface. 
The sensitive fro^. 




Cut of the Pastern and other Bones, Ligaments , Etc. 



A. -S'/ia/i/,- //o//r 

B f p^/ri' fi/irf Jrnr/f/' /)n-sff'/-ii ho/w 

C Wrwft //ujiff hf)nr 

D. Lower or ■s/nn///'r/>rf. stern /jo//r 

E .\f7\iri/f//7' or s/ii/tf/e horw. 

F. roi^/i hotie orfujue o/'//ie foot 

C Si/.s/M'jiso/y 7///f/7/trf/t i/tserf^rf i?ito t7ir .sr.ssdjnoid -Ifotie 

H. Con ti /I notion of the .sn.s'pcii.sory he/mncnt f//.s-f'jref7 into the .vn/rt 7/e7'/u/.vt^^-n -//o//e. 

I Snuif/ inrJo.sfie hrja/nent hint^ f/oivn t/ie ■se-s:vn//n^n/-/xj?ie tot7/e 7/ifr/er/jfisf 4171 hone 

K. A (o7u/ bf/nfnrrit reen/u/ie/ fmtn the peiste^77/-7?o//e to the Juiee. 

L jB\tfi7?so7' tenelott 77i.verfee/ into both the past^/'/t-f a7i(/ the eo/frn^Mne 

M. Teiulon ofthejje7'fhi'nti7i(/ffti.\r)7^ m^erteeiintej t7ie eoffijt^707te afte7- /iet\i/n/ /jn.v.see/ 

ovfr t7te 7n/Me'7(7eft' 7>07ie. 
N ^'ee/t of t7ie 7ie7\i7i/7eT/jol7tf 7e///fe/te'.v.i. 

. /tut e/- o7' .ve//.sfh7e /foe/ 
P 777/7 ejft7te 7wr/t\'/7'oe/. 

OL. a 7jf/n7ne'tit iinrtuiej the 7ie7\uii7fjr 77o/ie to t7ie .\innt7e7- /He\te7'n . 

R . A 7if/f/7nen7 uiii7tti// the 7if7\ ■fe777er77)07ie to 77/ e eo/fi/i 7jo7ie. 

S .Sen.st7j7f .sfj7e' /7e7wee7i t7ie efjft)7/ /uene et7/f7 t7ir h7J77tv ■sie7r'. 

T. //o7-7iy sole 
U. 7'77i.st fj7- nn77 fj/f//(' /h777 

V. ■S'en.s-i7,7e Itum/ine to tihie/i the e/77.st / a- n ttereh e77 . 
W. 7'o7rj7/e77n 77////0/ t7/e e7-it.v7. 

X 77n' eoir7-f7U/offhf eruo/zn/r //7/on/e//t fofn wh/eh the r/n\/ i.s .ser/r-7/f7 . 
Z. 7'7oee q7'7j/re77i7/7/ frt t7i7^ 7fje 



